Traffic accidents can lead to a variety of severe injuries such as whiplash or broken bones. However, some of the most severe injuries, traumatic brain injuries, are not well understood by victims or their family members. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to a variety of physical or mental health issues depending on the particular area of the brain that was damaged. However, loved ones do not have to stand by powerless while their family members suffer. There are many different steps they can take to help with the healing and adjustment process.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
The first thing to understand about traumatic brain injuries is what they are from a medical standpoint. These injuries are a broad class of problems that result from some sort of external trauma to the head, which ends up causing damage to the actual tissue of the victim’s brain. That can make these injuries difficult to classify because modern medicine’s understanding of the brain is still somewhat lacking. The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary widely in both type and severity based on the part of the person’s brain that was injured. The symptoms can also take a wide variety of time to set in, with some changes being instantaneous and others taking weeks after the initial trauma to appear. These symptoms can include physical difficulties such as balance problems, headaches, or nausea; cognitive troubles, like memory loss or difficulty focusing; or even changes to the victim’s personality.
Strategies for Coping
Strategies for helping a loved one cope with a traumatic brain injury will change depending on the specific symptoms that they are exhibiting. In some ways, physical limitations can be the easiest to help people cope with. If people are experiencing nausea, balance difficulties, or other physical limitations, it can be most helpful for family members to simply make themselves available to help out around the house. Alternatively, they can also help set the person’s house up in such a way that they can maintain as much independence as possible.
Cognitive difficulties are often more subtle and more difficult to help with, but there are options. First, loved ones can help victims establish daily or weekly routines. These routines can help provide structure for the person suffering from the injury, which can decrease problems related to memory and concentration. Second, loved ones should make sure to keep distractions such as music or talking to a minimum after an accident, if the person needs to focus. People’s abilities to tune out such stimuli may be reduced following a traumatic brain injury. Third, traumatic brain injuries may result in people having trouble navigating their homes, so loved ones can help by labeling or color-coding areas to better trigger the injured person’s memory.
People going through traumatic brain injuries may also experience changes to their personalities, such as lack of emotions, lack of control over emotions, or improper impulse control. Sensitivity is key to helping family members through these changes, which can often be frightening and frustrating. Being open to talking and forgiving of missteps may help them cope with their injuries. Additionally, there are a variety of support groups available to people experiencing these sorts of issues following a traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries can be life-changing, but rehabilitation is possible, and you can help your loved ones. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of another person’s carelessness and you want to learn more about your legal rights, contact a Nevada personal injury attorney at the Ladah law firm today.